The Kronos Quartet, which has actively sought to build interest among musicians, composers and audiences for its accessible genre-crossing and culture-fusing work in new music, has announced its fifth Under 30 Project. The deadline for applications is Nov. 16.

There are two things that make this competition special. The first is that the people who apply do not have to submit a new work, or a work for string quartet. Instead, they send in a portfolio that members of Kronos will assess for its creativity.

Only the winner will be asked to write something new specifically for the group, and will need to promise that they can deliver a finished score by Dec. 15, 2013.

Also, the world premiere of this particular competition’s new work will coincide with the quartet’s 40th anniversary in the spring of 2014, making it something of an instant landmark.

Competition for the Kronos Quartet‘s attention is fierce: The first four Under 30 Project contests netted nearly 1,000 submissions from 46 countries.

This may be the right time for a Canadian to shine — especially given what a strong following the foursome has on this side of the border.

The only strict condition is that an entrant must be under age 30 until the deadline date.